Isaacs Lodge No. 29 A.F. & A.M.
Boones Mill, Virginia
A dispensation was granted May 4, 1883, by Most Worshipful Ruben Murrell Page and Worshipful Bryan Isaac’s Grand Secretary.
The first slate of officers where:
Worshipful Master N. C. Carper
Senior Warden D. M. Tench
Junior Warden J. O. Abshire
Secretary D.H. Price
Treasurer C.T. Jamison
Senior Deacon T. K. Tench
Junior Deacon E. A. Roop
Chaplain J. L. Taylor
Tiler E. C. Akers
At the following Grand Communication, a charter dated December 1884 was granted to Isaac’s Lodge, which was assigned the Number 29. The Lodge was named for Worshipful William Bryan Isaacs, Grand Secretary.
The Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens were the same for the first nine years.
Isaac’s Lodge when formed was at Helms, Virginia, and was originally a “moon” lodge. The original Lodge at Helms, Virginia, along with most of the records and charter were destroyed by fire in 1890 or 1891.A duplicate charter was issued at the 1892 Grand Communication and Isaac’s moved to Boones Mill. There the records were again destroyed by fire and another charter was issued. There are no records of the Lodge’s activities between 1890 and 1895, so one may assume that the second fire occurred sometime during this period. The minutes of the March 1895 meeting show that a committee was appointed to contact the owners of Boones Store House in regard to using it as a Lodge room.
In May 1895, on motion, it was ordered that the Lodge build in connection with the Methodist Church at Boones Mill. In June 1895 it was resolved that the cornerstone be laid on July 13. Worshipful R. A. Lovelace, father of Worshipful T. D. Lovelace, was elected to office at that time and was present at the cornerstone laying.
At the December 1897 meeting, the new lodge hall was dedicated at a public meeting.
It is impossible to recognize all who have contributed so much to the history of Isaac’s Lodge. However, one brother, Right Worshipful J. M. Emswiler, served as Worshipful Master for 14 consecutive years numerous years as secretary, and many years as District Deputy Grand Master.
The beautiful cedar furniture of the Lodge was made by Right Worshipful B. L. Clements and presented to the Lodge in 1957.
Isaac’s has had one Grand Master from their Lodge; Most Worshipful Ralph Julian Wimmer, Grand Master in 1984.
Isaac’s Lodge purchased Boones Mill Christian Church in 1993.